Facial Recognition for Take Home Ration Delivery

On 18th September, 2024, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, announced the rollout of a facial recognition two-factor authentication system for the distribution of Take-Home Ration (THR).

This pilot project will be implemented in six districts across six states, including Ranchi, as a model initiative.

Key Points

Implementation in Ranchi: The THR scheme will be operational in Ranchi by the end of this month. Beneficiaries' photos will be captured, and a one-time password (OTP) will be sent to their phones for authentication.
Expansion Plan: If successful, the facial recognition system will be replicated nationwide to ensure efficient THR delivery and reduce discrepancies.
Anganwadi Upgrades: The Central government has approved upgrading 2,500 mini Anganwadis and over 30,000 regular Anganwadi centers into ‘Saksham Anganwadis’ as part of the Integrated Nutrition Support Programme.
Challenges from Workers: Some Anganwadi workers expressed concerns about the new system, citing issues with network connectivity and inadequate training for using the POSHAN tracker application.